light through trees

A Silent Night

It was a silent night as I sat looking at our Christmas tree and watching the snow fall outside. Wrapped in the warmth of my home, my thoughts traveled back to 2007 and 2010, when I knelt before the star marking the place of Jesus’ birth.

It was a cave visited by millions each year. I wondered then — and still do now — do those who visit this holy place take the love of Christ with them when they leave?

I am reminded of the lyrics from The Tiny Child to Bethlehem Came by Marty Haugen:

“The tiny child to Bethlehem came
That all of the world might turn
And care for ev’ry creature the same,
The way of compassion to learn.”

Compassion

In this season of gathering with family and friends, in a world torn by division, war, hurt, hunger, and homelessness, do we find the compassion that this tiny child brought us over two thousand years ago? How do we define compassion?

When I turned to a Google search, this is what I found:

“Compassion is a deep feeling of sympathy and sorrow for others’ suffering, combined with a strong desire to help alleviate it — moving beyond just empathy (feeling with) to action (acting for).”

This small child lying in a manger showed us the way to compassion and love for others. But do we act on this lesson? How do we move beyond feeling to doing?

Acts Matter

I see compassion lived out every day in small but meaningful ways: Someone helping another cross a busy street; a door held open; a generous smile paired with a “have a great day;” reaching for an item too high on a grocery shelf; gifts given with no expectation of return. These quiet acts matter.

This season — whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another tradition — may we bring the gifts of compassion, love, and joy not only to our family and friends, but also to the stranger. For we were once strangers in an unknown land, with no room in the inn — only a manger in a stable.

May you be blessed with the joys of the season, and may the coming year bring health, peace, and hope.

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Debbie Dillow

Debbie Dillow

Providence Associate Debbie Dillow is the Director of the Providence Associate relationship. She is the mother of two grown children and grandmother to four. Debbie holds holds bachelor's and master's degrees in media arts and science from Indiana University and a certificate in applied computer science from Purdue University. She also has a master’s in pastoral theology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She and her husband, Bob, live in Pittsboro, Indiana.

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4 Comments

  2. I sat down tonight very tired from helping a friend deal with tragic problem. My friend is an abused wife with seven children. Two with special needs. Her husband is mentally ill and violent. His name is on all their accounts and he has drained all the money. Her attorney dropped her case because she could no longer pay his fees. She had paid him a good deal. She is due in court on Jan. 5. A group of friends I are trying to get her help. It’s been tough going. But we got a little light and some leads today. Your blogs gave me faith that the grace of love and kindness flows through the Christmas session and that when one lead doesn’t pan another will. A better counsel perhaps than the first ones we call. Because of the two of you spreading the ways of God’s Providence I will be able to sleep tonight. Last night I was restless, having no idea what to do next if we couldn’t find an attorney. The sleep will allow me to celebrate a simple Christmas with family. My friends and I will return to the phones the day after Christmas. Please pray for us.
    And of course I remembered Mother Theodore’s advice: Never doubt God’s Providence, which has never failed us. (Probably not a word for word quote. But it and the message of the Sisters of Providence helps this old worry wart deal with worries and trust God.)
    Thank you Debbie and John-Michael for just the right messages. Have a happy Christmas filled with love, compassion and joy.

  3. Dear Debbie Dillow and John-Michael Elmore,
    I sat down tonight very tired from helping a friend deal with tragic problem. My friend is an abused wife with seven children. Two with special needs. Her husband is mentally ill and violent. His name is on all their accounts and he has drained all the money. Her attorney dropped her case because she could no longer pay his fees. She had paid him a good deal. She is due in court on Jan. 5. A group of friends I are trying to get her help. It’s been tough going. But we got a little light and some leads today. Your blogs gave me faith that the grace of love and kindness flows through the Christmas session and that when one lead doesn’t pan another will. A better counsel perhaps than the first ones we call. Because of the two of you spreading the ways of God’s Providence I will be able to sleep tonight. Last night I was restless, having no idea what to do next if we couldn’t find an attorney. The sleep will allow me to celebrate a simple Christmas with family. My friends and I will return to the phones the day after Christmas. Please pray for us.
    And of course I remembered Mother Theodore’s advice: Never doubt God’s Providence, which has never failed us. (Probably not a word for word quote. But it and the message of the Sisters of Providence helps this old worry wart deal with worries and trust God.)
    Thank you Debbie and John-Michael for just the right messages. Have a happy and holy, Christmas filled with love, compassion and joy.
    Leave a Reply

  4. Debbie,
    You always bring love, compassion and joy into my world. I read your blog and one by John-Michael Elwood, sp? The response is posted on his blog. Can’t get it to copy.
    And both of your blog and his helped me trust in Providence. Not to worry. I am not over extended. My niece Maggie Norton and several other friends are doing most of the work. God provided with the help I needed to take this on at Christmastime.
    I’m sort of the pit boss.
    And a growing trust in God’s Providence, was the only way I could even consider that, Still room to grow some more.
    Maggie is chomping at the bit to bring me to the Woods so she an see the alpaca’s and the cats. It it may be early summer. And she will say a prayer or two when we are there.
    I will try to join the prayer group in January. Depends on Doc. appts, I had to put off when I was weaker. Love you,
    Theresa

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